Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy and Stress Reduction Show Benefits for Oncology Nurses in RCT

BACKGROUND: Oncology nurses are frequently subjected to significant psychological stress due to the demanding nature of cancer care, which negatively impacts their mental and physical health as well as the quality of patient care. Although Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction has been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating stress, practitioners often encounter barriers such as limited engagement and difficulty maintaining regular practice. AIM: To enhance engagement and adherence, we integrated art elements into the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction framework, creating the Mindfulness-Based art therapy program, and evaluated its effectiveness among oncology nurses. DESIGN: A three-arm randomized controlled trial. METHODS: 90 oncology nurses participated (Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy group = 30, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction group = 30, waitlist controls group = 30) in an 8-week program. Stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and mindfulness levels were assessed at baseline, immediately after the fourth week of intervention, and immediately after the intervention concluded. Compliance and satisfaction were evaluated using attendance rates and satisfaction questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze general data; intervention effects were compared using one-way ANOVA and generalized estimating equations, and compliance and satisfaction were compared using independent samples t-test. RESULTS: Both Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction significantly improved stress, physiological markers, and mindfulness vs. controls. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction better reduced depression (β = -2.980, 95% CI: -5.427, -0.533, p = 0.017), while Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy was superior for fatigue (β = -11.582, 95% CI: -20.615, -2.550, p = 0.012). Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy had higher adherence (93.3% vs. 73.3%, p < 0.05) and satisfaction (3.27 ± 0.45 vs. 2.40 ± 0.52, p = 0.01). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: For oncology nurses, Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy is as effective as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for improving stress and mindfulness, while providing greater adherence, satisfaction, and more consistent fatigue reduction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300078124 (http://www.chictr.org.cn), 30/11/2023.